English Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Padjadjaran University

The English Department at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Padjadjaran University, received its operational license on September 21, 2007, under Operational License Number 146/DIKTI/Kep/2007. Based on the decision of BAN-PT No. 1778/SK/BAN-PT/Akred/S/VI/2017, the English Department was accredited with an “A” rating, valid for five (5) years from June 7, 2022, to June 7, 2027. This department is located at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor campus.

General Curriculum

The curriculum of Unpad’s English Studies Program consists of courses in two categories, namely mandatory courses and electives. Joint Lectures, known as Tahap Perkuliahan Bersama (TPB) courses, such as Bahasa Indonesia, Religious Studies, and Civics Studies are mandatory courses that apply to students of all study programs enrolled in the undergraduate program at Universitas Padjadjaran. There are also required courses for students of all study programs at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, such as Introduction to Cultural Studies, Fundamentals of Philosophy, and Cultural Diplomacy. However, most of the mandatory courses are specific to the English Studies Program.

The English Studies Program category consists of three types of courses: language proficiency courses, linguistics courses, and literature courses, reflecting the distinctiveness of the English Studies program at Universitas Padjadjaran.

Language Proficiency Courses

Language proficiency courses are designed to assist students in improving their English competency in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and translating. In the English Department, language skills courses are fundamental, training students in the four components of language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Elective courses in English proficiency include Interpreting, Technology in Translation, and Integrated Language Skills.

Unpad English Studies offers a Course Waiver Program as a recognition of student’s past learning (RPL) of language proficiency.

Translation Skills

In Translation Skills, students are trained to translate texts both in English and Indonesian, divided into General English-Indonesian Texts, Specific English-Indonesian Texts, and Scientific English-Indonesian Texts. In addition to practical translation skills, to enrich and deepen their understanding, students can choose elective courses such as Interpreting and Translation Studies.

Linguistics Courses

Linguistics courses equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in researching how the English language works and its use in social life, such as in various industries and fields of work. Linguistics students are trained to think logically and analytically by observing linguistic phenomena in English-speaking communities through utterances, structures, and meanings in movies, talk shows, novels, magazines, and newspapers that use the English language, as well as conversations among English language speakers, using linguistic methods, approaches, and theories. Elective courses in linguistics include Linguistic Aspects in Translation, Teaching: Principles and Methods, and Classroom Management.

Students who choose Linguistics Specialization are also expected to hone their ability to interact with other fields of study, enabling them to conduct cross-disciplinary linguistic research.

Literature Courses

Literature courses provide an overview of literature and cultures that originated from various English-speaking regions of the world such as Great Britain, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australasia, as well as the socio-political context that surrounds them. Students are trained to apply critical reading to literary texts and to produce critical pieces of writing using the latest theoretical frameworks. Elective literature courses include Women’s Writing, Literature & Film, Poetry & Contemporary Music, and Theater & Performance.

Literature students are trained to analyze and elaborate on English literary works in various genres using several theories, methods, and approaches to literary studies, relating them to global socio-cultural issues.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the English Department at the Faculty of Cultural Science Unpad are employed in various government and private institutions. They pursue diverse careers, including:

Language Assistants such as copywriters, translators, and interpreters.

Journalisms as editors and journalists with writing and speaking skills.

Teachings as English teachers in both formal and non-formal education sectors.

Strategic Fields such as staff in government institutions and entrepreneurs.

The curriculum of Unpad’s English Studies Program also equips students to become scholars and researchers in linguistics and literary-cultural studies. Therefore, after gaining a thorough understanding of the mandatory subjects, students can choose to specialize in either Linguistics or Literature. Alternatively, students can also broaden their studies, with Literature students taking Linguistics courses and Linguistics students taking Literature courses.

Writer: Bernikha Tsabita